Ray-emission apparatus



May 1 0, 1949. G. G. ELLNER 2,469,872

RAY-EMI S S ION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 30, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 4 TI'OENE Y.

May 10, 1949.

G. G. ELLNER RAY-EMI S S ION APPARATUS :5 ShetS-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 30, 1944 TRANSFORMER INVENTOR. GEORGE GELLNER.

I III ATTORNEX Patented May 10, 1949 UN 1 TED S T15 5 T :iGERF RAY-EMISSION APPARAT'I I S Y George =-G. Ellner, Long Island,

ApplicationNovember 30, l 944,--Serial No. 5655-96 7 1 Glaim. 1, This invention relates to "the application "of ray-"emission means for treating or sterilizing "surfaces and contents of receptacles, containers,

tanks, etc., for destroyin'giorappreciably reducing the number of bacteria, fye'asts, molds, algae, virus'and othermicro organism's or "other un- "desirab'le germs, and "for other germicidal or sterilizing purposes, andtoip'ossibly replacepas- "te'uriz'ation, "heat or "chemical sterilization, or fumigation.

"It is an objector "the present invention to efficiently utilize in "a practical and economical and safe manner ray-emission means for "main- "taining in good normal condition, sterilizing or otherwise treating "surfaces "of enclosed or "exposed areas"; 'flilids or other substanceswithin'a vesselorthe environment therewithin.

It is 'a'further'object of thep'res'ent invention to utilize ray-emissiommeans in an "effective man- 'ner for preventing the fermentation, molding, bacterial, algaei'cor other "spoilage or changes in and maintaining intact in good condition 'for appreciable period's, "fluids brother substances, which are'storecl or contained-in a receptacle.

Yet a further object of "the present invention is to increase the vitamin 'D'coiiterit in certain fluids and other 'substances'by suitable and effective application of ray-"emission means, inia safe, economical and non-hazardous manner, while such fluid or substance is in "'thefpr'ocess of being stored or contained withina'tank or other receptacle, and in improved 'm'e'an'sfor supporting andmakingliquid proofthe ray-emission means.

Astill 'furthe'rob-ject ofthe..presen'tinverition is "to provide novel ray-emission means and inst'rumentallities for installing the same either 'temporarily'or permanently in tanks, compartmentsfor other "containers or redeptacles'insuch manner as to providea sterileenvironment surrounding the substance to be treated as "well as to irradia'te the substance itself.

(Ether objects of the invention are 'to provide novel rotatableor movable ray-emission apparatus in a tank or --other receptacle which effectivelyand eiiiciently provides germicidal energy to reduce or eliminate the "bacterial content within "the tank and the substance "therewithin'; kill air-borne bacteria, -etc., within the tanker other vessel, and generally maintain the sterility of the conten'tsd'f the tank, or atl'east prolong the periodduring which-the contents of the tank may be maintained in good condition without spoilage by bacteria, mold or other micro organisms.

2 "The above and "other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. To enableIo'thers skilled in the art so Efiilly to com rehend the underlying features "thereof that they'may embody the sameby the numerousmodificationsin structure and relation contemplated 'b'y'this invention, drawingsdepictingcer'tain 'for'r'ns of'the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such -dr'awin'gs,'like 'charactersof reference denote correspondingparts tliroughout all of the views, of which:

I Fig. -1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken tliroiigh theiupper portion of a cylindrical storage "tank embodying -the-invention;

Fig.2'lis a setional 'vi'ewtaken along line 2-2 "ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3- 3 "of 'Fig. "1;

Fig. -4fisan'erilairgeitl detail view of the electrical connecting -means supplying the power to the ray-emission tubes;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view insection of the'electrical connection'between the tube sock- 'ets;

"Fig. '5'afis an outside view of a seal cover for covering the "socket not employed;

Fig. "6 is an enlarged detail view of the tube socket connection;

Fig. is a lefthand side view of'FigbS; ""F'i'g. "8'is an enlarged detail view in section of "c'larn'piri'g'means employed in the invention;

*Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper'portion'of 'a recita'ngularflstorage tank embodyingthe invention in a modified form;

Fig; "10 is'a sectional view taken on line l'il'l 0 'Of Fi'g.'9; I I

r Fig. I1 is an enlarged front elevation'al detail view of thel'ailiip carrier arm;

"Fig.12'is apla'n view 'of'Fig. 11;

Fig; 13 is an "electrical wiring diagram'showing power supply "Fig."14is across-sectionalview taken through ftheiupperportion'of an open tank showing the track means for movab-lysupporting' ray-emission lamps, this being a filrther "form of the inven- "tion';

'Fig. I5'is'a sectional view taken on line l5-I5 'o'fFig. l4; and

:Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram for Fig. 13. I "Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1-8, inclusive, of the drawings, there is disclosed a cylindrically-shapedrec-eptacle l0 adapted to contain any-substance to be "sterilized or otherwise "treated by application "of suitable rays, such as,

for example, ultra-violet or other effective rays to eliminate or prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, virus, or other undesirable germs; or it may be desired to treat the receptacle for such one 01 more purposes.

Receptacle I is indicated as having a gabled top or cover II from which the following described rotatable ray-emission means is supported and suspended, but it is to be understood that the said means may be applied to the receptacle in any suitable manner and by any suitable means.

Secured to top or cover II are the cross beams I2, l3. Driving means, such as motor I4, is secured to beams l2, l3 by any suitable means, such as, for example, the straps and brackets l5. Projecting from motor bearing I1 is a rotatable shaft I8 to which is fixed a plurality of arms l9. Arms H! are braced by means of conventional adjustable straps or turn buckles 20, the latter being secured to shaft |8 by collar 2| and to arms l9 by the members 22.

Storage tank I9 is divided into the storage compartment 23 for holding the liquid to be irradiated, and the upper compartment 24. Both compartments are sealed from each other by means of a partition 25. Passage of shaft |8 through partition 25 is sealed by means of a conventional stuffing box 26. Electric current is supplied through cable 2'! branching off into the supply line 25 to motor l4, and to transformer 29 at 39. High tension wiring 3|, 32, from transformer 29 leads to contact disks 33, 34. Disks 33, 34 are mounted on shaft |8 (see Fig. 4) and are made of electrical insulating material 35. Metal bands 35, 31 in disks 33, 34 are contacted by brushes 38, 38a connected to high tension wires 3|, 32 coming from transformer 29.

Wires 39, 40, connect with contact rings 36, 31, respectively, and pass through hollow tubes 20 and connect with sockets 4|, 42, 43, as shown in Fig. 1, and diagrammatically in Fig. 13.

If it is desired to use the ray-emission lamps in vertical position, the lamps or tubes 44 may be disposed in tandem as shown in Fig. 1. Each sterile lamp 44 is secured between a frame consisting of electric conduit 45, top socket 46, bottom socket 4i and the reflector 43. Top socket 45 of each lamp is provided with conventional male connections 49, while the lower socket 41 is provided with the convention female connections 50.

When the tubes or lamps 44 are arranged in tandem, the lower socket 41 of one lamp carrier engages the upper socket 46 of the adjacent lamp carrier 5| through the connections 49, 50.

Resilient seals 52, 53 are provided on the surfaces 54, 55 of sockets 46, 41, respectively, forming a water-tight seal when these sockets are connected together, the same being held in connected position by retainer brackets 56 having grooves 51 at each end which engage clamping springs 58 located in groove 59 of each socket 46, 41. Resilient washers 5d are provided at the end of each socket adjacent the ray-emission lamp, thus sealing the other ends SI of sockets 4B, 41. After said lamp and carriers have been arranged in tandem within the tank to provide maximum radiation, it is essential to close the female socket end 53 on lowermost carrier 5| to prevent short circuiting, for which purpose a cap 92 is provided having brackets 55a and a resilient Washer 49a, the brackets 59a fitting cap 62 and the socket similar to the fit made by bracket 56.

At times it may be desirable to dispose the rayemission lamps in horizontal position instead of having them suspended in vertical position, when,

for example, it is desired to irradiate the surface only of a liquid contained in tank l0. For this purpose, all of the carriers 5| are dismantled by disconnecting brackets and separating the carriers. Closure caps 62 are then applied to sockets 4| carried by arms l9 to seal the sockets. Rayemitting lamps 44 are then applied in conventional manner between sockets 42, 43 carried by arms l9.

It is understood that in lieu of sockets 42, 43, sockets similar to those indicated by the numerals 46, 41 may be secured to the arms I9 in such manner, so that the complete carriers 5| may be separated from each other and be deployed in horizontal positions on the arms l9.

It is further understood that as many such carriers 5| may be employed on the arms I9 as may be found necessary, depending upon the size of the tank employed and the potency of the individual ray-emission tubes.

It is further understood that in lieu of providing high tension voltage at the rings 33, 34 and at the socket connections of carriers 5|, the carriers 5| may be provided with individual transformers thereby only requiring the passage of low-voltage current at the rings 33, 34, or at the sockets of carriers 5|.

It is again understood that in lieu of straight tubes 44, the carriers 5| may be equipped with U-shaped tubes as disclosed in my copending applications; or any other shaped tubes.

In Figs. 1 and 2, since the tank I0 is cylindrical the radial arms l9 are permanently arranged on spider S equidistant from shaft l8. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9-12, inclusive where the ray-emission means are applied in a rectangular or oval tank, it is desirable to provide extendable arms for carrying the rayemission lamp to effect irradiation of the side walls of the tank and the contents therein. Considering a tank I5 of rectangular shape, this tank may be provided with a removable cover 16 seated at 11, cover 16 having secured thereto by means of straps l5 a motor |4. Arms 18 are secured to motor M by means of shaft 19. Each arm 18 comprises a channeled portion and an extension 8| which slidably engages therewith. Prongs 82 guide sliding arm extensions Bi. The outermost end of each extension 8| is provided with a roller 83 and carries an electrical socket 4|a to which is secured a lamp 44a preferably in a manner similar to that described with reference to the sockets in Figs. 5-8, inclusive. It is evident that the carrier units 5| which include the ray-emission lamps may be arranged in tandem. Each extension 8| has a longitudinal slot 84 to accommodate a pin 85 which is secured to channelled portion 89. At the inner end 86 of extension 8| is a pin 81. Pins 85 and 81 support a coiled spring 88 which urges sliding extension 8| outwardly as indicated by the arrow 89 (Fig. 11); thus causing arm extension 8| to be maintained in constant contact with inner surfaces or walls 99 of tank 15. The corners of tank 15 are provided with curved face portions as indicated at 9| to permit rollers 83 to ride thereover and not interfere with their smooth travel over the inside surfaces 90 of tank 15. Thus, it is obvious that as the arms 18 rotate about shaft 19, they will project and retract and extend into corners 9|, by means of the action of springs 88 upon slidable extensions 8|. Full retraction of extensions 8| will take place at the point 92 on each wall 99 of the receptacle 15, thus maintaining lamps 440:. at all times substantially a con- 5 stant distance from the inner walls of the receptacle.

Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate the invention in a further modified form. An open tank which may be round, oval, rectangular, etc., has attached thereto a track device on which one or more ray-emission units may travel. In this instance, on the upper edge ml of tank I00 rests a U-shaped support I 02 having clamping means I 03 on the outside thereof for securing the support to the tank, and a rail portion I04 on the inside thereof. If desired a sound-reducing cushion I 05 may be applied between support I02 and the inside wall of tank I00. Track I04 is continuous and where applied to a, rectangular tank is sufficiently rounded at the corners to permit the easy and uninterrupted travel of the carriage I 06 along the track. Carriage I06 consists of frame I01 having mounted thereon two rollers I08, I00 in engagement with track or rail I 04. Roller I08 is driven by a speed reduction motor IIO supported on frame I01 by a bracket III. Frame I0'I has an insulating member II2 to which are attached rollers H3, H4 forming electric contacts respectively with electric rails H5, H6. Rails I I5, I I6, are located in recesses I I8 of an insulating strip II'I embedded in track I04. Current conducting wires H9 secured to rollers H3, H4 connect with the ray-emission lamp units 5|, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 16, According to Fig. 16, the wires 3|, 32 from the high voltage side of the transformer 29 are connected to rails I I5, I I6, and the Wires I I9 which feed the sockets for the ray-emission tubes 44 are connected to rollers II 3, H4 through terminals II3a, 411.

As may be readily seen from Fig. 14 one or more ray-emission units I20 may be arranged to travel over the demountable rail I04. Motor IIO will slowly rotate wheel I08 causing the rayemission means carrying unit I20 to move in a desired direction, and slowly irradiating by means of the ray-emission units 5|, the inside surfaces or walls of the tank I00, or the contents therein.

If desired, the transformer 29 may be mounted on the carriage I06, the necessary electrical connections being correspondingly changed. In this way only relatively low voltage current would be fed to the rollers H3, H4.

Although the drawings, and the above specification disclose the best modes in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, I desire in no way to be limited to the details of such disclosure, for in the further practical application of my invention many changes in the forms and proportions may be made as circumstances require or experience suggests without departing from the spirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In ray-emission apparatus, in combination, a motor, a vertical shaft, means including said motor for rotating said shaft, a plurality of arms extending from said shaft in a generally horizontal direction, a socket on each of said arms mounted adjacent the end thereof remote from said shaft, a plurality of bactericidal ray-emitting lamps each adapted to be secured in a respective one of said sockets for rotation around said shaft, circuit means for energizing said lamps through said respective sockets, said sockets being arranged to support said lamps in substantially vertical position, auxiliary socket means and additional bactericidal ray-emitting lamps connectable by said auxiliary socket means in tandem with respective ones of the first-mentioned lamps, clamping means engaging said auxiliary socket means to hold each pair of tandem-connected lamps in fixed relative position, said sockets being arranged to support said lamps in substantially vertical position, and a plurality of second and third sockets mounted adjacent the first-mentioned sockets and adjacent said shaft,

respectively, for supporting said lamps in substantially horizontal position alongside respective ones of said arms.

GEORGE G. ELLNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,297,525 Wood Mar. 18, 1919 2,096,746 James Oct. 26, 1937 

